Clamp for sectional signs



Patented Oct. 9, 1951 CLAMP FOR SECTIONAL SIGNS Pierre L. Michael and Kenneth L. Robison, Houston, Tex.

Application November 5, 1947, Serial No. 784,250

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to fastening means in the form of a clamp for securing sectional signs to supporting frame members.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a clamp capable of being quickly applied to the frame and complemental sign sections for clamping the sign sections, not only in interlocked relation, but also firmly in position on the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive fastener for quickly mounting and positively securing the parts of a demountable sign together.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamp which can be used and re-used many times in conjunction with interlocking type sectional signs.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the clamp in side elevation with a portion broken away.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of a sectional view of the sign showing the clamp in use.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on a line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plane view of th plank from which the bracket is formed.

Referring to the drawing, reference character A denotes a vertical angle-iron member forming part of the sign supporting frame, while reference characters B, C denote companion sections of a sectional sign, each having a front sign wall D. The upper and lower ends of these sections B, C are flanged inwardly as at E, F respectively, the flange F being somewhat wider than the flange E and provided with a depending wall G at its rear edge, turned inwardly at its lower end, as at H to define a shelf for an elongated boxlike channeled structure J, depending from the rear edge of the flange E, this'channeled structure J having a short inner wall K.

The clamp forming the present invention is generally referred to by numeral 5 and includes a bracket 6 bent as at 1 to provide right angularly disposed portions with one of their ends having a backwardly bent tongue 8, with the op- 2 posed portion of the plate roughened or knurled as at =9, to bite into the outstanding flange L of the frame member A when properly placed.

The other angular portion of the bracket plate 6 has an opening therein for receiving the shank portion ID of a hook generally referred to by numeral 1 I, this hook having a laterally disposed portion I2 and a slightly oblique outwardly slanting portion l3, the inner surface of which is on a line diverged from the opposed portion of the shank Ill, so that when this portion is placed over the short Wall K of the sign section C and the hook tightened in place, there will be a wedging action between the portion l3 of the hook and the wall K.

The free end portion of the shank I0 is threaded as at M to accommodate a nut IS with the threaded portion of the shank l0 protruding through the apertured end of the bracket 6, the nut l5 can be applied and with the portion l3 of the hook disposed over the wall K of the channeled structure J by tightening the nut I5, a wedging and clamping action of the hook against the channeled structure J will result in forcing the channeled structure in place against the shelf H and the wall G of the upper sign section flange F, as in the manner as shown in Figure 1. The knurled portion 9 of. the bracket will serve to prevent slipping of the clamp on the frame upright A.

Thus it can be seen, that this clamp can be used effectively in conjunction with the particular sectional sign construction for holding such construction firmly interlocked and in place on the sign frame.

While the aforegoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In combination with a, sign structure including sections having interlocking flange parts, one of said flange parts having an integrally formed U-shaped portion at its outer end, the other of said flanged parts having a like but smaller U-shaped portion receivable in said first-mentioned U-shaped portion and having a relatively short integrally formed wall section extending inwardly and perpendicularly from its free end, a clamp including a frame embracing bracket element and a hook structure, said hook structure being engageable with the interlocking portions of the sign sections and having a shank disposed through the bracket and tightening means between the bracket and the shank, said hook having a diverged extension for engaging within the smaller U-shaped portion and bearing against the free end of said wall whereby to wedge the interlocking parts of the sign sections together when the tightening means is operated to draw the hook and bracket together.

PIERRE L. MICHAEL.

KENNETH L. ROBISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date McCulloch Oct. 9, 1923 I-Iinkson May 21, 1923 Ansel May 31, 1932 Carey Apr. 17, 1934 Calkins Oct. 12, 1937 Erickson Feb. 7, 1939 

